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Polar ice caps

Definition

Massive sheets of ice covering the North and South poles that play a critical role in regulating global climate patterns and sea levels.

Analogy

Polar ice caps are like giant coolers for planet Earth. Just as coolers help keep things cold, polar ice caps help regulate our planet's overall temperature by reflecting sunlight back into space.

Related terms

Glacial retreat: The shrinking or melting of glaciers over time due to warmer temperatures.

Sea level rise: An increase in the average level of the world's oceans caused by melting glaciers and thermal expansion.

Albedo: The measure of how much light is reflected back off a surface. High albedo surfaces reflect more light (such as snow-covered polar ice) while low albedo surfaces absorb more light (such as dark asphalt).

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.